Outdoor Education Trips | Outdoor Education in the South

NORTH AMERICA

Outdoor Education in the South – Marine Mammals in Mississippi

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  • Itinerary

Mississippi

6 days
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Gulfport
  • Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
  • Behind the Scenes at IMMS
  • Beach time and cleanup
  • Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum
  • Hurricane Museum
  • Educational cruise
Mississippi's Gulf Coast spans 60 miles. Despite being impacted by hurricanes and 2010's massive BP oil spill, the region is home to beautiful white sand beaches and friendly historical towns. On this educational and enjoyable six-day outdoor education trip to Mississippi, we’ll learn work alongside experts from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, as we tackle various topics such as lingering effects from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and current threats facing marine mammal life. There is also an excursion to nearby Biloxi to visit the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum and a cruise aboard a replica of a historic oyster schooner.

Your adventure, day by day

Day 1 : Embark on your Outdoor Education Program
Arrival in Mississippi

Relax and enjoy our scheduled transportation to Gulfport-Biloxi.

Gulfport

Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi. was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina but has gradually rebuilt. The barrier islands found offshore form the Gulf Islands National Seashore, feature unspoiled white beaches, tidal pools, and historic sites.

Daily reflection and group discussion

"We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.

Day 2 : Introduction to Marine Mammals
Today’s focus

How do shows and performances function to educate the public? What factors are necessary for the well-being of the animals?

Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) was established in 1984 to care for marine mammals in the wild and under human care. IMMS is a leader in caring for sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles. We will have a tour of the facility as an introduction to the important work being done for these animals.

Lunch

We will enjoy an included lunch this afternoon.

Activity

As part of the IMMS's mission to educate the public on marine mammals, a variety of performances are scheduled. We will see some of these shows this afternoon.

Day 3 : Behind the Scenes at IMMS
Today’s focus

What threats do marine mammals face?

Activity

This morning we will go behind the scenes and meet with IMMS staff members involved in veterinary care, stranding, research, education, and animal care. We will be able to engage in hands-on activities related to each department.

Evening

After dinner together, we’ll have some time to reflect on the day's activities and discuss what we have learned from your service activity.

Day 4 : Service and the Gulf Coast
Today’s focus

How does water quality affect the animals in the Gulf Coast? Are there residual effects from the 2010 BP Oil Spill?

Activity

This morning we will meet IMMS staff at the Gulfport Beach to learn about seining, sieving, and water quality. We will also spend some time on beach clean-up.

Beach time

Spend a fun afternoon enjoying the beautiful beach!

Evening

After dinner together, we’ll have some time to reflect on the day's activities and discuss what we have learned from your service activity.

Day 5 : Hurricanes and Industry
Activity

Today we will travel the short distance to Biloxi to visit the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Experience an array of exhibits on shrimping, oystering, recreational fishing, wetlands, managing marine resources, charter boats, marine blacksmithing, wooden boat building, netmaking, catboats/Biloxi skiff, shrimp peeling machine and numerous historic photographs and objects.

Hurricane Museum

The Wade Guice Hurricane Museum is located within the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Learn about the many hurricanes that have devastated the area, including 2005's infamous Hurricane Katrina. There is a gallery of news videos of the storm, its aftermath, and a timeline of hurricanes since the 1700s.

Educational cruise

Embark on a two-hour cruise aboard a replica of a historic oyster schooner. We will enjoy the beautiful scenery while we learn about the history of the seafood industry and how it impacts the Gulf Coast region.

Evening

We will enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant.

Final reflection and discussion session

This evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and share some of the most significant observations and perspectives that have taken shape in the course of our Outdoor Education program in Mississippi and how these experiences may be most relevant for us all as we return home.

Day 6 : Departure from Gulfport-Biloxi
Farewell!

Today we head home as our rewarding and enjoyable Marine Mammals in Mississippi outdoor education trip comes to an end.

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